Wat Ratchanatda, Bangkok

Wat Ratchanatda is a 19th Century Buddhist temple located off the Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, which is often described at the main street in Bangkok as this wide two lane road connects some of the most important monuments and buildings in the city.

Wat Ratchanatda is open daily from 08:30 to 18:00 and admission is free.

About Wat Ratchanatda

Wat Ratchanatda, also known as Wat Ratchanatdaram and Wat Ratchanadda, is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok but receives very few visitors who instead tend to visit other more famous temples in same part of Bangkok, such as Wat Po and Wat Suthat Thepwararam. We thoroughly recommend visit to Wat Ratchanatda which is only 1 km walking distance from the Khao San Road, 500 metres from Democracy Monument and on the other side of canal from Wat Saket, the famous Temple of the Golden Mount. 

Wat Ratchanatda was constructed in 1846 at the behest of King Rama III who built the temple in honour of his niece. Wat Ratchanatda is a temple in the classic Central Thai style. It has three tall buildings in a row each with impressive columns supporting the roof on all side. The two buildings at each end of the row are prayer halls and the building in the middle is the Ordination Hall, where monks are ordained.

The inside of the Ordination Hall at Wat Ratchanatda is beautiful decorated with wall murals and in some ways, particularly the chandeliers, it is similar to the interior of a 19th Century palace or stately home.

The most recognisable feature of Wat Ratchanatda, the Loha Prasat, is located this row of three buildings. The Loha Prasat, which roughly translated means the Iron Castle, is a square structure with 3 tiers and 37 spires. There are 24 golden spires on the lower level, 12 on the 2nd level, and 1 spire on the top level the pinnacle of which is 36 metres from ground level. The Loha Prasat is an unusual and striking structure which has the appearance of a fairy tale castle and looks very impressive even if only viewed from a taxi or bus passing by on the busy Ratchadamnoen Klang Road.

The design of the Loha Prasat is believed to have been based on architectural plans found in India. Historical records suggest that there have previously been two other buildings, one in India and one in Sri Lanka, which have had a similar design. Neither building exists any more which makes the Loha Prasat one of a kind.

One of the other interesting things about visiting Wat Ratchanatda is the great views you get of Wat Saket which is located in the shadow of Phukhao Thong hill, on top of which the Temple of the Golden Mount is located.

Location of Wat Ratchanatda

• Wat Ratchanatda is located 550 metres walking distance from Wat Saket.